Herbert played during a vintage era for Australian centres, competing with Queensland team-mate Jason Little for a place in the Australian midfield alongside the legendary Tim Horan. Herbert's time in international rugby was wildly successful and he played a major role in their victory at the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales. He was later named in the 'Team of the Tournament' alongside Horan. He tasted Tri-Nations victory in 2000 and 2001 and was also part of the squad which won five consecutive Bledisloe Cups between 1998 and 2002. In 2003 he moved to France with Perpignan, but a neck injury forced him to retire from playing a short time after his arrival.